Members Will Plan for the Future at Annual Convention
OPEA members from across the state will gather at the Crowne Plaza in Oklahoma City, Friday and Saturday, August 26 and 27 for the Association’s 2011 Convention and Delegate Assembly.
“We’ve got your back” is the theme for this year’s meeting.
“OPEA has certainly protected state employees during the recent year and legislative session,” said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley. “The Association preserved the state employee health insurance benefits four times this session and the Supreme Court recently upheld OPEA’s case to protect state employee birth dates from media exploitation.”
“Oklahoma has been through rough times,” continued Zearley. “OPEA also protected jobs and services by working to minimize state agency budget cuts.”
The most important part of convention will be the Delegate Assembly on Saturday, when OPEA conducts its annual business meeting and adopts a platform for 2012. Platform planks or resolutions have been forwarded from regional meetings across the state. During the morning session on Saturday, delegates will discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead in a session called the “State of State Employment.”
At the annual awards luncheon, OPEA will honor members and chapters who have excelled in the past year. In addition, OPEA’s Legislator of the Year will be presented.
“OPEA’s annual convention is not just business, it’s an opportunity to network and have fun with the people who make Oklahoma work, state employees,” said Zearley.
The convention will open with a poolside “meet and greet” from 7 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The Friday night event will include a live band, finger foods, and a cash bar. State legislators have been invited to attend.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. Saturday with the opening gavel of the Delegate Assembly falling at 9 a.m. The Convention is scheduled to come to a close around 4 p.m., after OPEA members have adopted the Association’s Platform.
“OPEA members are encouraged to help set the course for the future by participating in this year’s convention,” concluded Zearley. “With state revenue recovering, we must be ready to recover lost ground and move forward.”
The Convention registration form should be filled out and returned to the OPEA office at 13 NE 28th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73105 or faxed to (405) 524-4671. Online registration is also available on the OPEA website www.opea.org. The registration fee is $15 until Aug, 5 and $20 after that. The fee includes the Friday night event and breaks and lunch on Saturday.
OPEA has reserved a block of rooms at the Crowne Plaza for Friday night. The rate is $72 plus tax. (Double occupancy rooms are available at the same rate.) Saturday breakfast is included with the room. To reserve a room, call (405) 848-4811 or (888) 444-0401. You must call by August 11 to receive the special rate.